6One-Of-A-Kind Attractions Found Only in the Hoosier State Hands-On Fun Studios and Galleries Where Groups Can Express Themselves

2019 GROUP TOUR PLANNER

Magnificent Mansions Stunning Gilded Age homes open for tours 6One-of-a-kind attractions found only in the Hoosier State Hands-On Fun Studios and galleries where groups can express themselves

Indiana 2019 Group Tour Planner

Contents FEATURES

8 Magnificent Mansions Stunning Gilded Age homes open for tours

16 Hoosier Holidays Celebrate the season at these festivals and museums

28 Hands-On Indiana Create your own masterpiece in these artist studios

36 Indiana Dinner Theaters Top-flight entertainment and delicious meals await

44 Indiana’s Casinos Hit the Jackpot Experience thrilling action and gourmet dining SAMPLE ITINERARIES

22 Eastern, Central and Western Indiana 34 Southern and South Central Indiana 42 Northern and Western Indiana

All itineraries are samples and can be customized to fit your group’s needs. . Indiana 2019 Group Tour Planner MCCABE’S GREENHOUSE & FLORAL

GENUINE EXPERIENCES are found during a visit to the Hoosier State, in a way that is uniquely Indiana. Our diverse geography, eclectic foods, natural attractions and unique 200- year history are just some of what makes Indiana so memorable to visit. Indiana’s communities offer travelers a refresh- ing sense of renewal. Relax on the beaches of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Hike scenic trails to discover wooded gorges, rock cliffs and plunging waterfalls at one of the many Indiana state parks. Enjoy rolling hills on the Ohio River Scenic Byway or return to simpler times in Amish country. Stop at one of Indiana’s wineries, farmers markets or creameries to experience the fantastic tastes of small-town Indiana. Our cities offer world-class museums, performing arts and sporting events. PARKE COUNTY COVERED BRIDGES There are many resources Indiana offers group tours. Whether it is vineyards, breweries and distill- eries, shopping, hiking, heritage or historical sites that you seek, start your planning at VisitIndiana.com. I hope you will consider Indiana as the place for your next trip so we can share a little Hoosier Hospital- CLIFTY FALLS ity with you.

Suzanne Crouch LT. GOVERNOR INDIANA

ON THE COVER: Indiana State Museum; Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Museum

6 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER INDIANAPOLIS ZOO

INDIANA FACTS Population: Statewide: 6.7 million Indianapolis: 860,902 (also the state capital) Fort Wayne: 267,852 Evansville: 118,930 South Bend: 101,735 Carmel: 92,198 Hammond: 76,618 Getting Here by Air Indianapolis International Airport (IND): Served by Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United, Vacation Express South Bend Regional Airport (SBN): Served by Allegiant, American, Delta, United Evansville Regional Airport (EVV): Served by Allegiant, American, Delta, United Fort Wayne International Airport: (FWA): Served by Allegiant, American, Delta, United Getting Here by Rail Amtrak stations in Connersville (COI), Crawfordsville (CRF), Dyer (DYE), Elkhart (EKH), Evansville- Bus CLIFTY FALLS Station (EVN), Hammond-Whiting (HMI), Indianapo- lis (IND), Lafayette (LAF), Michigan City (MCI), Rensselaer (REN), South Bend (SOB), Waterloo (WTI) Average Temperatures by Season: North – Spring 71, Summer 81, Fall 63, Winter 31 Central – Spring 73 Summer 84, Fall 65, Winter 36 South – Spring 77, Summer 88, Fall 70, Winter 41 Schwabenblitz/Bigstock.com

2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 7

Magnificent8 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER MANSIONS During the boom days of the 19th century, America’s economy grew by leaps and bounds, and barons of industry massed unfathomable amounts of wealth. They poured their riches into showplace homes, furnishing these opulent nests with the best that money could buy. Staffed by servants, the “palaces” boasted grand staircases, exquisitely carved woodwork, valuable art and sumptuously appointed parlors. Many of the finest specimens of over- the-top residential architecture were built during the Gilded Age, the years Dbetween the Civil War and early 20th century, a period generally known as the Victorian era. Indiana’s historic house museums provide peeks into the lives of the rich and famous. They not only offer private tours featuring docents with stories to tell and antiques to show off, but some can arrange group teas and luncheons amidst the elegant trappings. Most mansions get all decked out for the Christmas season, one of the prime times to visit. Several of Indiana’s stately homes of yesteryear can be found in towns along the Ohio River, whose shores were thriving with industry and shipping activity in the 1800s. Thomas Gaff, the son of Scottish immigrants, came from Pennsylvania in 1855 and made his fortune in distilling, brewing, steamboats and other businesses launched with his brother. Hillforest Victorian House Museum, built into a wooded hillside over the history- rich town of Aurora, reflects the Gaffs’ genteel lifestyle. Motorcoaches cannot SEIBERLING MANSION negotiate the steep drive, so the Kokomo Dearborn County Convention, Visitor and Tourism Bureau provides van transportation for those who cannot From Elkhart to walk up to the flamboyantly designed Evansville, historic Italianate house. Its steamboat-inspired houses paint a picture architecture features curved central of how the other half colonnades, a magnificent suspended lived staircase and a circular belvedere set Magnificent MANSIONS 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 9 in a pilot house-style cupola offering HILLFOREST panoramic river vistas (accessible to VICTORIAN HOUSE visitors via a steep set of stairs). MUSEUM Aurora Before or after touring Hillforest with a costumed guide, groups can gather amid the Victorian finery in the double parlors for a “Linens & Luxury” luncheon or AFTERNOON TEA a three-course afternoon tea with finger AT HILLFOREST sandwiches, scones and sweets. Another option is the “Twilight Tour Progressive Mansions Dinner” with a catered dinner at Hillforest followed by a dessert buffet in the formal dining room at Veraestau Historic Site, a bluff-top estate dating back to 1810 with sweeping views of the river valley. Madison, another Ohio River town that enthralls admirers of lovely old buildings, boasts the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the nation. A living museum that prizes historic preservation, it was once the largest and wealthiest town in Indiana, made prosperous by industries like pork packing. Madison’s crown jewel is Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the Midwest. Its immense Corinthian columns support a two-story porch that overlooks gardens and the riverfront. The mansion was built in 1844 by financier and railroad magnet James Lanier, who in 1849 moved to New York and made a name for himself in financial circles but maintained his Hoosier State ties, lending the state more than $1 million during the Civil War. A desk and bookcases are among the few furnishings original to the house, but all pieces are authentic to the period. The oldest artifact is the 1790 harp from France. Also of note is the spiral staircase leading to the skylit cupola. Culbertson Mansion, another designated State Historic Site, is a Gilded Age gem in the Mansion Row Historic District of New Albany. The French Second Empire home, an imposing vision in deep yellow, was built for $120,000 from 1867-1869 by William Culbertson, who at the time of his death in 1892, was CULBERTSON MANSION considered the wealthiest man in Indiana. New Albany A masterpiece of Victorian artistry, the three-story mansion dazzles visitors with

10 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER its intricate stenciling, hand-painted residence of the first President Harrison, is shooting and eating grouse. ceilings, marble fireplaces, elaborate a major tourist attraction in Vincennes, the In the Old Northside neighborhood plasterwork and carved staircase of state’s oldest city. Built from 1802-1804 on a of Indianapolis, the Benjamin Harrison mahogany and rosewood—all beautifully knoll above the Wabash River, the Federal- Presidential Site preserves the 16-room restored. Upstairs ceilings soar to 17 feet, style mansion was rather sophisticated for Italianate Victorian residence of the 23rd while those on the main level rise 14½. the frontier and borrowed elements from president, the only one elected from The Reitz House Museum, another plantation homes in Virginia, the home Indiana. He occupied the red-brick home, home in the Second Empire style, draws state of the well-to-do Harrisons. At age built in 1874-1875, until his death in 1901, history, architecture and decorative arts 27, William Henry was appointed governor except for his U.S. Senate and presidential buffs to the Riverside Historic District of the Indiana Territory, a wilderness that years. The study is filled with personal of downtown Evansville. The Victorian stretched across what is today Indiana, items from the White House and displays showplace was built in 1871 by John Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and parts his Oval Office desk, while the dining Augustus Reitz, a Prussian immigrant of Minnesota. It also served as a seat of room has presidential china. There is a known as the “Lumber Baron.” By the government, social center and place of collection of gowns belonging to Mrs. 1880s his sawmill was producing more refuge for the community in times of Harrison and her daughter. hardwood lumber than any other in the hostility. Another example of Italianate country. Guests are impressed with the In 1811 Harrison became a military Victorian architecture in Indianapolis is the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. The “Hoosier Poet” lived there (with other families) the last 23 years of his life, from 1893-1916, but he never owned it. Visitors can see ceilings painted by Italian artisans, the desk where Riley penned poems such as Little Orphant Annie and personal possessions like his top hat and cane. A visitor center has documentary videos and displays on Riley and Victorian America. The home is located in the Historic Lockerbie Square neighborhood, just a short walk from the galleries, restaurants and retail shops that make up BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENTIAL SITE the Mass Ave Cultural District. Indianapolis South Bend has two stone-walled, fortress-like mansions influenced by the Richardsonian Romanesque style popular grand entry hall in Moorish design, 14- hero, earning the nickname “Old in the late 19th century. The four-story foot ceilings, chandeliers, stained glass, Tippecanoe” after defeating Shawnee abode of the Studebakers, who founded plasterwork, parquet floors and walnut Indians in the Battle of Tippecanoe, which an automobile dynasty, is now a fine wainscoting. The drawing room, graced took place near Lafayette. On a tour of dining restaurant called Tippecanoe with a harp and piano, gives off a frilly Grouseland, visitors see memorabilia Place. Providing a window into the Gilded French feel; a white onyx fireplace is from the 1840 “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” Age, the mansion is open for self-guided from the 1893 Columbian Exposition in presidential campaign and items that exploration during normal business hours, Chicago. Many furnishings are original. memorialized Harrison after his untimely and guided tours are offered as well. Guests After the last Reitz family member died death, just one month after taking office marvel at its ornately carved woodwork there in 1931, the home was left to a as the nation’s ninth president. Most of and 20 fireplaces. Said a local newspaper Roman Catholic women’s organization the antiques date prior to 1812, even report soon after the 40-room home was and later became the residence of the to the late 1700s, and include some built in 1889: “The house, in its proportions bishop of the Evansville Diocese. Harrison family pieces. In the dining and appointments, probably surpasses Indiana lays claims to two homes room, the Harrisons hosted Indian chiefs anything in Indiana. It is an embodiment of once occupied by U.S. presidents—William and luminaries like explorers Meriwether all that wealth and taste can suggest, and Henry Harrison and his grandson, Lewis and William Clark. The mansion’s modern skill and invention devise.” Benjamin Harrison. Grouseland, the name comes from Harrison’s enjoyment of Nearby is the Studebaker National

2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 11 Museum, which shares a campus with The woodwork, plus a game room decorated in A survey of Indiana’s magnificent History Museum, a repository of artifacts leather and red velvet. One novelty: music mansions would not be complete without from the St. Joseph River Valley region. from a combination player piano/organ a mention of the Seiberling Mansion in The Oliver Mansion, with 38 rooms in the front parlor that is piped into the Kokomo. Built in 1891 by Monroe Seiberling, and 14 fireplaces, is part of the latter. library. Ruthmere, named after a daughter who made his fortune in the Indiana Besides getting a look at the leaded-glass who died in infancy, also maintains a fine natural gas boom of the late 19th century, windows, parquet floors and original arts collection that includes Tiffany glass it’s a combination of the Queen Anne and furnishings inside, visitors can stroll the and Auguste Rodin sculptures. Groups Romanesque Revival styles. The ballroom 2.5-acre grounds, which feature gardens, a can arrange an afternoon period tea (tea on the third floor has an entrance to the teahouse, fountain and carriage house. The sandwiches, mini scones, macaroons, mini rotunda outside, and the grand porch 1897 home belonged to James Oliver, who tarts) in the game room or outdoors on the overlooks the grounds. The elegant Victorian invented an economical and efficient plow piazza. house was originally heated and illuminated manufactured in town. The Haan Mansion Museum of by natural gas. Its ornate interior woodwork Fronting the St. Joseph River in Indiana Art was the State of Connecticut and parquetry uses a variety of native Elkhart, Ruthmere was the 1908 Beaux building at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. woods, including walnut, oak, maple, cherry, Arts-style home of Albert R. Beardsley, Immediately after the fair, it was moved to mahogany and butternut. The mansion general manager of a company that later Lafayette to become the residence of Mr. serves as the museum of the Howard County became Miles Laboratories, makers of such and Mrs. William Potter. Of chief interest Historical Society. over-the-counter products as Alka-Seltzer are paintings, ceramics and sculpture For lovers of antiques, decorative arts and One-A-Day Vitamins. Impressive by Indiana artists, plus American-made and American history—and anyone who features of the brick and limestone mansion furniture from the Renaissance Revival entertains dreams of lavish lifestyles from a include ceiling and wall murals, Cuban period of 1860-1890. On display are three bygone era—the historic house museums mahogany paneling, silk wall coverings, vases from the fair, one of them a prize of Indiana have much to offer. Italian marble fireplaces and gilded winner that stands seven feet tall. RESOURCES

BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENTIAL SITE 317-631-1888, PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org CULBERTSON MANSION STATE HISTORIC SITE 812-944-9600, IndianaMuseum.org/Culbertson GROUSELAND 812-882-2096, Grouseland.org

HAAN MANSION MUSEUM OF INDIANA ART 765-742-6449, HaanMuseum.org HILLFOREST VICTORIAN HOUSE MUSEUM 812-926-0087, Hillforest.org

JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY MUSEUM HOME 317-808-8565, RileyMuseumHome.org

LANIER MANSION STATE HISTORIC SITE 812-265-3526, IndianaMuseum.org/Lanier OLIVER MANSION 574-235-9664, HistoryMuseumSB.org REITZ HOUSE MUSEUM 812-426-1871, ReitzHome.com RUTHMERE 888-287-7696, Ruthmere.org SEIBERLING MANSION/HOWARD COUNTY MUSEUM 765-452-4314, HowardCountyMuseum.org TIPPECANOE PLACE 574-234-9077, Tippe.com

12 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

VERY CORNER of that have shined positive imaginations to design and the globe is filled light on professional and physically build a mascot and with museums collegiate sports teams. Like audition as it through exciting that honor great any hall of fame, there is a stunts like firing t-shirt and E athletes, but stringent nomination and confetti cannons. UNIQUELY where are the institutions selection process before the The Hall also looks that honor their greatest annual induction ceremony. to appeal to students by Indiana cheerleaders—the mascots? While inductees have been emphasizing STEM disciplines These felt and plastic icons welcomed since 2005, they in its interactive exhibits and will soon have their very own will now be forever enshrined is developing a curriculum place of honor at the Mascot in the new Whiting museum. with nearby Calumet College Hall of Fame, set to open Designed by Jack Rouse that incorporates science, December 2018 in the South Associates, the same award- technology, engineering, Shore community of Whiting. winning firm that created art and mathematics Here, famous figures like the World of Coca-Cola and components into the displays. Brutus Buckeye and Mr. Met Crayola Experience, the Whether your group is are honored in a state-of-the- building’s exterior will greet populated with sports junkies MASCOT art, 25,000-square-foot facility groups with the enormous or simply wants a zany stop that will welcome school head of Reggy: the hall’s in the itinerary, consider a few groups, coach tours and official mascot. Once inside, hours spent with legends like mascot fans of all ages. groups can explore exhibits Bucky Badger and the Nittany HALL Founded by David such as “Department of the Lion. Raymond, the original Phillie Furry Arts,” “Science of Silliness For more information, Phanatic from 1978 to 1993, Lab” and “Phuzzical Education visit MascotHallOfFame.com the Hall honors mascot Department.” Visitors can OF FAME performers and performances also engage with their

14 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

Christmas festivals and holiday light displays abound throughout Indiana

Long winter nights are no match for Hoosier Hospitality—even during frigid December, cities across Indiana welcome groups to showcase their architecture, history and local traditions. From firsthand encounters with Santa Claus to recreations of a Victorian Christmas, you’ll be sure to discover an Indiana experience that spreads some holiday cheer. Home to fewer than 3,000 permanent residents, the town of Santa Claus nonetheless hosts tens of thousands of visitors every summer Lat its Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari theme park and thousands more every December when it becomes “America’s Christmas Hometown.” Originally called Santa Fe, the city eventually changed its name after the competing city in New Mexico grew larger, and today the post office receives thousands of letters from HOLIDAYS children all over the world with their

Christmas wish lists. Since 1914, a group of local volunteers called Santa’s Elves has ensured these children get custom replies from the Big Man himself, and your group can stop by the post office itself to see the “elves” hard at work. Groups can spend an entire day exploring the town’s Christmas-themed attractions, including Santa’s Candy Castle (which has a delicious selection of toffee, taffy and chocolate), Santa Claus Christmas Store (where group members can buy commemorative ornaments and nutcrackers) and Santa Claus Museum & Village (which houses galleries that explain the town’s holiday history). The town is especially festive during the three-weekend Santa Claus Christmas Celebration each December. Special events include the Festival of Hoosier

16 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 17 Lights, where groups can drive through villagers staved off the harsh winters Christmas experience recalls Brown nine miles of residential light displays, with bonfires and dancing. That tradition County winters of yore with cookies, and Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, continues annually with the Sounds of cider and live music. For another culinary which invites guests to try the traditional the Season concert, where a 60-member adventure into the past, register your roasted European nut preparation. chorus performs carols and spirituals group for a Victorian Candlelight More Old World holiday traditions in St. Ferdinand Church. Conclude your Holiday Dinner, where guests dine in the are found in the nearby town of evening with a visit to the Monastery light of oil lamps and are waited on by Ferdinand, which hosts the annual of the Immaculate Conception, which staff in authentic Victorian garb. Christkindlmarkt Heritage Markets. presents a nativity and holiday lights Each holiday season, the Soldiers Voted as one of the Top 100 Events in display on Grotto Hill. and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis

SANTA CLAUS CHRISTMAS STORE Santa Claus

North America by the American Bus Charming any time of year, the becomes a 284-foot-tall Christmas tree Association, the markets are spread welcoming antique alleyways and composed of nearly 5,000 lights and across seven locations in town and are historic homes of Brown County are 52 strands of garland. Numerous Indy easily accessible from a free shuttle. Over especially welcoming in December when attractions offer holiday light shows 200 Bavarian shopping stalls showcase adorned with wreaths and brimming throughout the season, including the work of traveling toymakers, wood with holiday shoppers. The Christmas Newfields Winterlights. This dazzling carvers and bakers, while food stands Log Cabin Tour welcomes groups into outdoor display invites guests to sip on serve apple strudel, schnitzel and the area’s 19th century log homes when a hot cider and admire millions of music- cinnamon rolls. The kindlmarkt tradition they are festooned with period-accurate coordinated LED lights on the Lilly House began in 14th century Germany, when decorations, while the Steele’s Country lawn. Combining holiday cheer with the

18 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER city’s rich racing history, Lights at the into a Christkindlmarkt. Dozens of of Lights Drive-Thru, a partnership Brickyard allows vehicles to drive the stalls selling seasonal confections and between Shipshewana Trading Place and Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s two-mile hot chocolate surround a temporary ice Blue Gate Hospitality that transforms loop and pass through an LED tunnel skating rink; holiday concerts are offered Shipshewana RV Park into a mile-long and admire the famous five-story pagoda at the adjacent Palladium Center for the burst of LED color that depicts biblical illuminated by thousands of bulbs. For Performing Arts; and group seating is scenes and Santa’s workshop. Other indoor Indianapolis holiday happenings, offered at many restaurants in the nearby Shipshewana holiday highlights include consider the Indiana Historical Society’s Carmel City Center. Visitors can also climb the Ship-Chic Craft & Vintage Show, Festival of Trees, which showcases aboard the Holiday Trolley to explore the where over 80 vendors sell Christmas- over 80 Christmas trees of various styles, Carmel Arts & Design District. A driver themed crafts, and the Shipshewana Ice

CHRISTKINDLMARKT Carmel

GIFT OF LIGHTS WINTERLIGHTS DRIVE-THRU WINTERLIGHTS Newfields Shipshewana Newfield and the Eiteljorg Museum’s Jingle Rails: wearing a Santa hat will transport your Festival, which pits chainsaw-wielding The Great Western Adventure. Nine party through Main Street and stop and teams against each to create the most model trains wind through miniature admire the work of local artists. elaborate ice sculptures. Indianapolis landmarks like Lucas Oil Shipshewana, the heart of Indiana The stunning Greek Revival Stadium before venturing west past Mt. Amish Country, draws groups every mansions and Federal-style buildings in Rushmore, the Grand Canyon and the Las year for its Indoor Flea Market. Hosted the Madison Historic District are open Vegas Strip. in the Farmstead Expo Barn until mid- year-round for group tours, but they Groups can also venture north December, the market is 15,000 square become especially welcoming during to Hamilton County, where Carmel’s feet of one-stop holiday shopping. the holiday season for the Nights Before Center Green is annually transformed Groups can then complete the Gift Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes.

2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 19 Homeowners welcome visitors to their yule log cake still prepared in modern decorated historic homes to admire the France. Return downtown to the Fort preserved styles of past eras, and local Wayne History Center, host of the annual RESOURCES historians will lead groups through festively Festival of Gingerbread. Schoolchildren CHRISTMAS IN BROWN COUNTY decorated landmarks such as the Masonic and professional chefs alike present over 812-988-7303 BrownCounty.com/Holidays Schofield House and Lanier Mansion. 100 edible creations that take the shape of Various hospitality sites offer hot drinks traditional gingerbread houses, cars and CHRISTMAS IN SHIPSHEWANA and cookies, and visitors are invited to join musical instruments. 260-768-7589 Shipshewana.com/Christmas-In-Shipshewana the caroling when tours pass through local While Parke County receives most churches. of its group traffic in the autumn due FERDINAND CHRISTKINDLMARKT Old Fort Wayne, a recreation of a to its famous covered bridge festival, 812-367-2908 FerdinandChristkindlmarkt.com stockade that played a pivotal role in the wintertime in western Indiana is War of 1812, hosts the annual Joyeux equally beautiful. Enjoy the splendor FESTIVAL OF GINGERBREAD Noel and Bonne Annee (Christmas and of the county’s 31 covered bridges on 260-426-2882 FWHistoryCenter.com New Year’s) celebration in a city flush with a crisp December day and stop by the history. Groups can hop on the Holiday Covered Bridge Christmas Market, FESTIVAL OF TREES Trolley that departs from downtown Fort which sells the work of local artists. 317-232-1882 IndianaHistory.org/Events/Festival-Of-Trees Wayne and explore a fort populated by Rockville, the county seat, also hosts historic reenactors glad to explain holiday the Holiday Home Tour. This local HOLIDAYS IN CARMEL traditions of French-American Hoosiers. architecture showcase welcomes groups 317-848-3181 VisitHamiltonCounty.com Crackling fires heat fresh tarte aux pommes into sumptuously decorated houses (apple pie) and “habitants” will explain and enlightens visitors on the county’s JINGLE RAILS: THE GREAT WESTERN ADVENTURE the tradition of buche de noel, a frosted pioneer history. 317-636-9378 Eiteljorg.org/Explore/Exhibitions/ Jingle-Rails-The-Great-Western-Adventure JOYEUX NOEL OLD FORT WAYNE 260-427-6000 OldFortWayne.org/Event/Joyeux-Noel-a-Festive- Fort Wayne French-Christmas-3/ LIGHTS AT THE BRICKYARD Has It All in the Bag! 317-492-8500 IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com/Events/Lights Fort Wayne, Indiana offers exceptional, unique tours your group will love! NEWFIELDS WINTERLIGHTS 317-923-1331 Shop the Amazing • Come for the ﬁve-day Vera Bradley Outlet Sale – DiscoverNewfields.org Vera Bradley Oulet Sale! 40%-60% off retail prices! NIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS • Enjoy culinary delights including a DeBrand Fine 812-265-2956 Chocolate Factory Tour, wineries, and more! NightsBeforeChristmas.com • Exceptional shopping, downtown attractions & dining options! PARKE COUNTY COVERED BRIDGE CHRISTMAS 765-569-5226 • Shop ‘til you drop at Sweetwater Sound CoveredBridges.com/Events/Parke- GearFest, cinda b Outlet Sale, Peg-Perego Outlet County-Covered-Bridge-Christmas Sale and many more shopping experiences this year in Fort Wayne! SANTA’S CANDY CASTLE 800-356-1935 Contact Zoe at SantasCandyCastle.com 1-800-767-7752 to get started! SANTA CLAUS CHRISTMAS STORE 877-224-1772 SantaClausChristmasStore.com SANTA CLAUS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 888-444-9252 www.VisitFortWayne.com SantaClausInd.org/Santa-Claus- Christmas-Celebration [email protected]

GroupTourAd15_4.75x5.indd 1 9/19/17 9:36 AM 20 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER recruiting and War Bonds pilots, nurses and those a native of Vincennes, is posters, along with flags employed in factories on the enshrined in an exhibit foreign and domestic, festoon home front during World War showing his Army jacket, the walls. The museum is the II. Displayed are the coveralls, honorable discharge INDIANA pride and joy of founder and goggles, shoes, drill, lunch box papers and a picture of him curator Judge Jim Osborne, and clip-on ID badge of one of surrounded by Italian children. who began collecting WWII the many female workers who One photo shows Skelton artifacts as a child. helped build the Navy’s LSTs entertaining troops on a ship MILITARY World War II buffs are (Landing Ship Tanks) at the bound for Europe in 1945. impressed with the uniforms Evansville (Indiana) Shipyard. Outdoors, visitors can get belonging to Generals Patton Inside the case is a “Rosie the a taste of trench warfare, MUSEUM and Eisenhower. Riveter” poster. The often used as a symbol of Ike’s uniform, domestic scene is World War I, by walking tailor-made in also highlighted through a set of replica ALUTING THE London, was in a display trenches from the period. brave men and worn during of WWII-era Also displayed outdoors are women who have the week of UNIQUELY toys—tanks, military aircraft. A series of served in America’s the D-Day boats, dioramas, ranging from World S wars, the Indiana invasion of Indiana planes—that War I to the present day, are Military Museum in Vincennes Normandy. had to be made being installed in an existing boasts one of the most Other reminders of wood or warehouse building on the comprehensive collections of D-Day include cardboard because property and will be unveiled of military memorabilia a paratrooper’s jacket metal was needed for in January 2019. in the country. There is so and bits and pieces found in the war effort. For more information, much to see that the best the sands of Omaha Beach, The WWII service of visit IndyMilitary.com strategy is to pick a few exhibit including shrapnel, spent comedian Red Skelton, areas and give them a good ammunition study. The main display area and a fighting occupies a single level in one knife. Another long building, an old glass heroic stand, manufacturing plant. the Battle of Some members in your Iwo Jima, is group may gravitate to the remembered Civil War, while others will with a want to focus on World War captured I or II. Among the oldest Japanese rifle artifacts are muskets dating and tray of back to the period between sand from the the American Revolution and island. Also War of 1812. The succession of see goggles glassed-in exhibits progresses used by pilots chronologically, ending up who dropped with the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq atomic bombs and Afghanistan wars. on Nagasaki The museum’s collection and items contains some rare items, from Nazi and many relics have Germany such local connections. Besides as a formal glass cases crammed with napkin and bit memorabilia—from weapons, of the fireplace helmets and gas masks to from Hitler’s medals, newspaper clippings Berchtesgaden and magazine covers—there retreat. are tanks, jeeps, bicycles, The motorcycles and other “Women at vehicles in the middle of War” exhibit the room. Vintage patriotic, recognizes

2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 21 EAST/CENTRAL/WEST INDIANA ITINERARY

From 1-69 to I-70, There’s Plenty to See

INDIANAPOLIS

CENTRAL REGION

WESTERN REGION INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND MUSEUM

EASTERN REGION mances. For another side of sweet, visit artifacts donated by colleges around the the DeBrand Fine Chocolates for a tour nation. and tasting.

DAY ONE EVENING: Travel south to the Muncie DEBRAND FINE CHOCOLATES Start your tour in Fort Wayne at the area and enjoy live gaming action and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical dinner at Hoosier Park Racing & Ca- Conservatory, a downtown oasis with sino, where your group can try their luck four outdoor gardens in addition to at the slots or watch harness racing. the Tropical Garden with orchids and palms and the Sonoran Desert Garden. DAY TWO Afterwards, walk over to the Genealogy MORNING: Start the day in Alexandria at Center at Allen County Public Library. Gaither Family Resources. Gospel sing- Centered in downtown Fort Wayne, this ers Bill and Gloria Gaither have dozens of impressive structure contains one of the top Christian music hits. A guided tour world’s largest research collections on includes their studio, the house where Bill genealogy. grew up and the school where Bill and Gloria met. AFTERNOON: Visit Sweetwater, consid- Continue to Indianapolis and the ered the Amazon.com of the live music NCAA Hall of Champions, which boasts industry. This massive campus features two levels of interactive exhibits that recording studios, extensive collec- explain what it takes to make the grade. tions of musical instruments for sale, All 24 NCAA sports are represented. The and expansive fulfillment center. And, if museum offers a trivia challenge, current your group is lucky, live musical perfor- team rankings, video highlights and

22 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER AFTERNOON: Enjoy lunch and a visit The museum is known for its collection of DAY FOUR to the Indianapolis Zoo. Home to over nearly 2,500 works of American art. Your MORNING: Visit CANDLES Holocaust 2,000 animals and Indiana’s largest tour offers insight into the rise of Ameri- Museum. Founded by Eva Kor in 1984 aquarium, this 64-acre zoo has wild can artists and the artistic process. to locate twins who survived the experi- animals roaming through natural settings. ments of Nazi doctor Joseph Mengele, Don’t miss the world’s largest enclosed AFTERNOON: Enjoy lunch at M. Mog- here you’ll learn the story of this Holo- dolphin show. ger’s Restaurant & Pub, located in the caust survivor from before the war and historic E. Bleemel Building, circa 1837. through the rise of Nazism to her time in EVENING: Before dinner, take in an Housed in this same building are a brew- the Auschwitz concentration camp and Italian gondola ride under Venetian- ery museum and Civil War museum. After journey of forgiveness. style bridges on the Indianapolis Canal lunch, depart for home along I-70 with Later, visit the Swope Art Museum. Walk. Dinner is at Beef & Boards Dinner fond memories of your journey. Theatre where amphitheater seating gives everyone a terrific seat for tonight’s performance.

DAY THREE MORNING: Begin the day at the India- napolis Motor Speedway and Mu- seum. Its amazing car collection includes more than 30 racecars that won the Indianapolis 500. Explore the Speedway’s grounds on a narrated bus ride around the track and stop for a quick photo at the famous Yard of Bricks. The tour also visits the media center, Pagoda, victory platform, garage area and a Gasoline Alley suite.

More car history awaits at the Dallara oo IndyCar Factory. On a factory tour you’ll see the technology engineering used in z manufacturing today’s IndyCars. Photo: Fred Cate

AFTERNOON: Grab lunch at City Market. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the market features a wide variety of local eateries, retailers, coffee and a craft beer bar. Next, visit the Indiana Medical His- tory Museum, the oldest freestanding pathology facility in the nation, which intrigues visitors with its anatomical displays.

EVENING: After a short drive to Terre Haute, take an evening Outdoor Sculp- ture Tour. Terre Haute is proud of its aquarium garden botanical public art and 18 unique public sculptures, including one of NBA legend and Open year-round with hotel packages and memorable Indiana State University graduate Larry behind-the-scenes opportunities available, including Bird. Stop for photos beneath The Chorus Dolphin In-Water Adventures and Animal Art Adventures. of Trumpets, The Flame of the Millennium or Begin planning your trip visit today! The Spirit of Space. [email protected] • 317-630-2051 • IndianapolisZoo.com

2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 23 UNIQUELY Indiana TOYOTA PLANT TOUR

N AUTO FACTORY ready for paint. After Body tour isn’t on the Weld, you’ll ride through one top of many travel of two Assembly shops. You’ll bucket lists, but the see engines and axles, wire A drive to Princeton, harnesses, instrument panels, Indiana is worth a side trip. headliners, seats, carpets and Here you’ll find Toyota Motor a wide range of other parts Company’s manufacturing and trim added to the body to plant, which is exclusively create the final product. responsible for producing Throughout Body the popular Highlander and Weld, Assembly and other Sequoia SUVs and Sienna production shops, you’ll be minivan models. Toyota manufacturing process. to the public. You’ll literally see side-by-side with Toyota team Opened in 1999, this A timeframe exhibit traces how steel coils arrive at the members as they perform a massive plant stretches over Toyota’s history and its entry plant one day and become variety of checks to ensure the 70 football fields (under roof) into the U.S. auto market in the SUVs and minivans the next. quality of vehicles. and across 1,160 acres. Toyota late 1950s with displays of an After the film, the tour The estimated total time Indiana employs over 5,400 early model on the floor. continues inside the plant, to see both the visitors center workers, and on any given day, Toyota is proud of its where you’ll see the entire and the plant tour is 75-90 up to 5,000 outside contractors commitment to the environ- production process of a minutes. are on-site providing various ment and the local community, Toyota vehicle. Armed with The Toyota Indiana Visi- services at the facility. The plant as displayed by a variety of safety goggles and long tors Center is an excellent way even has its own medical staff stewardship and community sleeves, visitors board a to explore the history of Toy- and child daycare center. care projects and awards. The tram and travel first to one ota and discover southwest Each year over 400,000 highlight of the visitors center of thousands of spot welds, Indiana’s industrial heritage. SUVs and minivans roll off is a deconstructed Toyota often signaled by a burst of You’ll see Toyota’s manufactur- the assembly line. Visitors to Tundra pickup truck suspend- flashing sparks. Here, robot ing facility and production the plant can learn about the ed from the ceiling. arms adeptly guide parts system up close and in-depth history of Toyota and see the The tour moves into the as they proceed through and discover why Toyota has entire manufacturing process. theater, where a film portrays the assembly line. Next is built such a solid reputation The tour begins in the modern, the construction of the plant, the Customer Satisfaction with their reliable vehicles. For expansive visitors center that the use of technology in daily Line, where doors, fenders, group reservations call 888- features interactive multimedia operations and insider views of hoods and the back hatch are 696-8211 or visit TourToy- exhibits that illustrate the plant operations not accessible installed to complete a body otaIndiana.com/Plant-Tours

24 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PLAZA

INDIANAPOLIS MEMORIAL TOUR NDIANAPOLIS dedicates more acreage to honor the nation’s fallen than any other I American city and is second only to Washington, D.C. for total number of war memorials. Clustered around the downtown area, these humbling structures are free to admire at your group’s of the Revolutionary War, War columns and stone figures American Legion Mall convenience. Tour planners can of 1812, Mexican-American that represent American ideals and past the Cenotaph, a also consider the free guided War, Civil War, Frontier Wars such as liberty and patriotism. sculpture that honors Corporal tours offered through Indiana and Spanish-American War. Inside is the Shrine Room, a James Gresham—Evansville Landmarks or the Indiana War Four heroic figures sculpted grand space that includes 24 native and the first American Memorial Museum. by noted German artist pillars made from Vermont casualty of World War I. If your memorial tour Rudolf Schwarz at each marble, alcoves with paintings American Legion Mall also is self-guided, begin along corner represent the infantry, of important Allied Forces contains the World War II the Indianapolis Canal Walk cavalry, artillery and navy, generals and the Altar to the Memorial (a concave half at the 9/11 Memorial. while the 30-foot-tall bronze Flag: a marble box flanked by circle imprinted with letters Dedicated in 2010, the Victory statue that adorns the torch standards. As you exit from war and Hoosier Medal memorial consists of two monument is depicted the memorial, be sure of Honor recipients), and the 11,000-pound beams taken as a female warrior to see the Pro Patria Vietnam and Korean War from the Twin Towers. Atop holding a flame. sculpture, which Memorials (which soberly list one sits a life-sized bald eagle, For a stunning depicts a young Indiana soldiers who died or its wings outstretched and view of the man draped in went missing in action). its head gazing east towards Indianapolis an American Conclude your tour and New York. Behind the beams skyline, climb UNIQUELY flag and was return back to the canal walk stand a pair of granite walls 331 stairs Indiana the largest to see the USS Indianapolis inscribed with remembrances (or take the bronze casting Memorial, which honors of the horrible attacks in New elevator) to the ever made in the single greatest loss of York, Washington, D.C. and Observation Level America to date. life in U.S. Navy history. The Shanksville, Pennsylvania. to spot the next stop Continue vessel was returning sailors to Next, head west to on your tour: University north through Veteran’s training duty in the Philippines Memorial Circle, which gives Park. Memorial Plaza, which when it was torpedoed by a Indianapolis its nickname of Originally land designated is dedicated space for all Japanese submarine in 1945 “The Circle City,” and admire for a state university (hence 50 state flags. The plaza’s and resulted in nearly 900 the 284-foot-tall Soldiers its name), the park is visually centerpiece is the 100-foot-tall deaths. These brave men are and Sailors Monument. dominated by the Indiana obelisk, its four-sided base honored in a stone memorial Completed in 1902 and War Memorial. Honoring decorated with bas-relief shaped like the cruiser costing over $500 million in Indiana soldiers killed in panels that represent the itself with etchings of the modern dollars, this imposing World War I, the structure four core American values: vessel on its side. For more limestone obelisk tower is a limestone shrine that law, science, religion and information, visit In.Gov/ honors the Indiana veterans features an exterior of Roman education. Proceed through IWM

26 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

Indiana boasts enough mansions, museums and casinos to fill weeks of itineraries, but some groups prefer a less passive trip. If your members are unafraid to get their hands dirty, paint their own canvas or make their own pottery, the state is filled with studios and workshops that encourage groups to create works of art and get firsthand assistance from talented artists. Dearborn County in southeast Indiana welcomes groups to partake in DIY opportunities in several galleries, including the Framery in the Ohio River city of Lawrenceburg. While this 35-year- old store carries over 1,500 designs, it’s notable to visitors for its numerous Arty Parties. The session begins with a small Ireception of appetizers before instructors assist group members as they cut fused glass jewelry, paint wine glasses or create an Eric Carle-inspired butterfly canvas. Pieces that require kiln-firing are shipped to participants as a memento. Seasonal crafts like pumpkin painting in autumn are also offered. Groups can also unearth a green thumb with a visit to McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral. Harvest and create a sunflower arrangement, plant an herb garden to take home or create a Christmas wreath with help from McCabe’s staff. Nearby Aurora is home to the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild (SIAG) Gallery & Studios, where groups can create customized pieces with instructions from community artists. Popular sessions offered include gourd birdhouses, mixed media notecards and finger paint “gardens” that encourage group members to return to childhood and slather their canvas in color. Your group members will feel even better when they realize proceeds from these BOARD + BRUSH classes go to Dearborn County’s Tour for the Cure Program, which raises money for breast cancer research. Also popular with groups along the Ohio River is the Funky Farmhouse, a “Pinterest inspired” studio in Newburgh. This renovated barn has transformed into a spacious studio that provides group members with bare wall hangings in the shapes of letters, flowers and animals that 28 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER HANDS-ON Indiana SOUTHEASTTou INDIANAr Bees, Birds & Butterflies Explore the natural world in Southeast Indiana – where our garden centers, artists, farms, wetlands area, brewery and feed mill o er one-of-a-kind group experiences and hands-on fun.

Experience the Oxbow Wetlands

Finger paint a garden

OHIO

Indianapolis

INDIANA 1 Cincinnati

Paint your own masterpiece, pour your KENTUCKY own candle and sculpt

your own pottery with Louisville Lexington these Hoosier DIY South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati experiences www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com HANDS-ON Indiana 800-322-8198 can be colored in as creatively as you wish. Want to achieve inner serenity or welcome new scents to your house when you return home? Indiana offers several opportunities to see the candle-making process up close and even create your own unique scent. Warm Glow Candle Company in Centerville is an immense outlet store and shopping mecca that sells regional wines, handcrafted jewelry and gourmet chocolates in addition to its signature lumpy candles, which come in over 60 scents and can be used for an illuminating ambience or aromatherapy. The store will soon open its new candle- pouring studio where guests can personalize their own color, fragrance and label while witnessing the process up close. Indiana’s other premier pour-it- yourself experience is at Penn & Beech Candle Co., located in Indianapolis’ hip Massachusetts Avenue neighborhood. Groups can create a candle, body spray or diffuser from the store’s nearly 100 scents and explore the area’s boutiques during the 90-minute candle-curing process. Group members select a container before consulting with fragrance bar professionals to create a one-of-a-kind scent from oils that range from citrus and lavender to bacon and bubblegum. Stir this mixture PENN & BEECH in with molten wax, and the result is a CANDLE CO. Indianapolis soothing souvenir to bring home. While in Indianapolis, consider the area’s numerous immersive art opportunities. Located in the Broad Ripple neighborhood and the city’s premier art community, the Indianapolis Art Center offers numerous Pop-Up Art Adventures throughout the year. These experiences last around two hours and guarantee a finished piece for every guest. Potential creations for your group members include glass paperweights, tailgate cupholders and printed table runners. Resident artists can introduce visitors to lesser- known techniques such as Japanese raku ceramics, metal clay jewelry and encaustic painting (which melds colorful melted wax). For another group opportunity, THE FRAMERY head south to the nearby city of Dearborn County Greenwood and the Craft + Cork studio.

30 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER This trendy space can be rented out for and encouraging employees who can parties and groups seeking a relaxing assist group members select their stain SOUTHEASTTou INDIANAr evening of painting and creativity. Group and subject matter. Fiber artists of all members pre-select their painting subject levels will enjoy Nomad Yarns, which before receiving basic instructions from offers a large supply of yarn, fibers and a resident artist and working on their notions for knitting, crochet, spinning and canvas or decorating other objects such as felting. Nomad Yarns offers regular classes, D i n e W i t h welcome signs or glassware. Participants special workshops and private lessons are encouraged to socialize, create their for all ability levels in knitting, crocheting History own decorative patterns and enjoy wine and spinning as well as occasional guest Twilight Tour Progressive and craft beer offered by the studio. teachers in other crafts. Also in the area Scattered across the state are eight is uPaint, a paint-your-own pottery and Mansions Dinner Board & Brush franchises—studios that glassfusing studio that allows groups to allow groups to select and paint their own create keepsake dinnerware and home wood signs. Group members will learn décor with its in-house kilns. how to stress, stain and paint wood from Dubbed the “Beautiful Valley” for local DIY experts and create beautiful its stunning natural landscapes ideal for signs to bring back home. Groups should outdoor painting, Brown County is home

Guides in costume and delicious desserts Dinner at Knigga Farms

NOMAD YARNS Avon also consider Here’s Your Sign in Goshen, to one of the nation’s largest art colonies. which hosts regular “Wine and Sign” Groups can walk in the footsteps of private events where participants paint American master T.C. Steele and leisurely outdoor welcome displays or decorate explore studio space still used today by recycled road signs for a vintage art piece. painters and artisans. Be sure to stop by Discover your inner artist on the Lawrence Family Glass Blowers, which 1853 Hay Press Barn; All American Meal

Main Street Cultural Trail, a self-guided carries a 40-year tradition of glassblowing OHIO tour that showcases over 30 galleries, excellence and allows visitors to see the Indianapolis studios, confectioners and restaurants in process up-close in two village studios, INDIANA 1 Cincinnati Hendricks, Morgan and Putnam counties. and Homestead Weaving Studio, Visitors looking for a DIY experience in this which repurposes more than one ton of area should stop at Bisque Barn Pottery industry excess fiber annually to produce KENTUCKY Paint Studio in Avon. New crafters will handwoven rugs and scarves. The studio Louisville Lexington feel comfortable painting their sign with offers “day weaving” classes for groups South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati vinyl stencils (no free drawing required) who wish to learn loom basics and the www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198 2018 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 21 environmental impact of fiber recycling. creating their own painting with assistance in the facility, which ships all over the The charming Tippecanoe Arts and from expert instructors. Reservations can world. You can also see a glass-blowing Cultural District in Lafayette and West be made up to six months in advance, and demonstration and pick up a colorful Lafayette offers DIY art opportunities, promotional deals are sometimes offered souvenir in the gift shop. including Inspired Fire Glass Studio to groups of 10 or more. & Gallery. Over 20 local glassblowers Operating out of a repurposed and artists display their work in this vacation home along the shores of Winona RESOURCES fully functioning glassblowing studio Lake, Pottery Bayou hosts crafting parties BISQUE BARN that offers a variety of classes for those for groups in a clean and encouraging 317-426-4319, BisqueBarn.biz interested in the process. Curious about environment. The entrance hall and dining BOARD + BRUSH creating your own magnet? Stop by room are populated with crafting tables, BoardAndBrush.com CLAY CRITTERS 765-420-7232, ClayCritters.com CRAFT + CORK 317-300-1277, CraftAndCork.com THE FRAMERY 812-537-4319, FrameryInc.com FUNKY FARMHOUSE 812-459-4774, FunkyFarmhousePaintParties.com HERE’S YOUR SIGN DIY 574-238-6369, HeresYourSignDIYWorkshop.com HOMESTEAD WEAVING STUDIO, LLC 812-988-8622, HomesteadWeaver.com INDIANAPOLIS ART CENTER 317-255-2464, IndplsArtCenter.org INSPIRED FIRE GLASS STUDIO 765-474-1981, InspiredFire.com KOKOMO OPALESCENT GLASS 765-457-1829, KOG.com LAWRENCE FAMILY GLASS BLOWERS 812-988-2600, LawrenceFamilyGlassBlowers.com MCCABE’S GREENHOUSE & FLORAL 812-537-4525, McCabesGreenhouseAndFloral.com NOMAD YARNS KOKOMO 317-742-7456, NomadYarnShop.com OPALESCENT GLASS Kokomo PAINTING WITH A TWIST 765-269-7221 PaintingWithATwist.com/Studio/Lafayette-IN Clay Critters factory and warehouse. and the kitchen now contains the kiln. Craft PENN & BEECH CANDLE CO. This 16,000-square-foot manufacturing your own creation on a potter’s wheel or, 317-721-6885, PennAndBeech.com space produces whimsical ceramic if your group is pressed for time, sign up POTTERY BAYOU refrigerator magnets and offers group for the shorter class and paint a variety of 574-267-2655, PotteryBayou.com tours to demonstrate how each magnet bowls, mugs and vases. must pass a “slam door” test to ensure it In Kokomo, tour America’s oldest UPAINT POTTERY STUDIO LLC 317-406-3072, uPaintPotteryStudio.com won’t slide. Unlock your creative side at art glass company, Kokomo Opalescent Painting with a Twist, which offers two- or Glass, which dates back to 1888. Skilled VISIT SOUTHEAST INDIANA 812-537-0814, VisitSoutheastIndiana.com three-hour group classes accompanied ladlers quickly scoop molten glass from by a selection of beverages. Each group the furnace and carefully mix the glass to WARM GLOW CANDLE COMPANY member is provided with an easel, canvas the exact color and texture. Over 22,000 765-855-2000, WarmGlow.com and example to follow before they begin variations of sheet glass are produced

32 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER SOUTHEASTTou INDIANAr GIRLFRIEND Getaways Hands-on Fun!

a full line of products, Oakley, a sharpshooter many of them natural in Buffalo Bill’s Wild ANNIE and organic, for men West show. Born in and women; they are Ohio in the mid-1800s, available at more than she was the first female 1,000 retail locations. to gain any notoriety OAKLEY More than two million in that previously NATURAL bottles have been sold. male-dominated field. PERFUMERY On 45-minute tours Gabet says what Oakley of the factory, visitors represented – the spirit F YOU’RE looking learn the story of the of America, simplicity, to treat your group company’s beginnings to an opportunity and see how fragrances that’s available are created, blended in just one place and bottled. There’s I in the whole a chance to sample country, consider a products, from tour of America’s only the original Annie UNIQUELY perfumery. Its unlikely fragrance to not-yet- location: the Amish released products in Indiana Country of northeastern development. After Indiana, about 14 miles the tour, guests can south of Shipshewana. sample more fragrances Annie Oakley and essences and then Natural Perfumery in browse the gift shop. freshness – represented Aurora and Ligonier started in 1980 Fragrances for her brand perfectly. Lawrenceburg in the kitchen of Renee women include Indian Private tours OHIO

Gabet, who, with her Musk, Citrus & Honey, can be scheduled Indianapolis daughters, created and Evening Lavender, Cherry Monday through Friday INDIANA 1 Cincinnati hand-blended fragrances Blossom, Honeysuckle between 8 a.m. and 3 and essential oils. Over and White Lily, to name p.m. Saturday tours are time, the products just a few. Sagebrush, available on request. For KENTUCKY

Stampede and Wild West more information, visit Lexington gained popularity and Louisville the little company are for men. AnnieOakley.com South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati expanded into an off-site The company is factory. Today it produces named after Annie www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 33 SOUTH CENTRAL/SOUTHERN INDIANA ITINERARY

Down 1-69 to I-64, You’ll Find Lots to Explore

INDIANAPOLIS

SAINT MEINRAD ARCHABBEY

SOUTH CENTRAL Santa Claus Christmas Store, take REGION DAY TWO a trip down memory lane at Santa’s MORNING: Rich with history, the Cory- Candy Castle, and in nearby Dale see don State Capitol Historic Site com- SOUTHERN REGION an impressive collection of mechanical memorates Indiana’s first state capitol. musical instruments at Dr. Ted’s Musi- Begin your day with a walking tour cal Marvels. DAY ONE where the group will visit the Federal- Celebrate another bearded man as MORNING: Begin the day by visiting style limestone building (circa 1814), you visit Lincoln’s Boyhood National southwest Indiana’s most respected which served as the state capitol from Memorial, just west of Santa Claus. cultural institution: the Evansville 1816 to 1825, and Governor Hendricks’ Abraham Lincoln spent 14 years at this Museum of Arts, History & Science. It’s Headquarters, a two-story brick house site, from youth to manhood. See his a permanent collection of over 50,000 which was occupied by the governor recreated 1820’s homestead where in- objects, including decorative and fine from 1822 to 1825. terpreters in period costume show you art, rare photographs and historical Next, Corydon’s Zimmerman what his early life was like. documents. Art Glass Factory features hands-on Departing Santa Claus late this Stop by the Reitz House in the demonstrations of fine glass pieces being afternoon, pay a visit to a Benedictine city’s downtown historic district. John molded right before your eyes. In the gift monastery. Set against the backdrop Augustus Reitz was a 19th century shop, you may find the perfect gift for a of rolling countryside, Saint Meinrad lumber baron. His family home is a fine special person. example of French Empire-style archi- Archabbey features the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln, distin- tecture. Before departing, include lunch AFTERNOON: After lunch, it’s time for a guished by twin bell towers. The church at Walton’s International Comfort little wine tasting at Turtle Run Winery. displays a replica of the Black Madonna Food in downtown Evansville. Southern Indiana is a popular wine statue in Switzerland’s Einsiedeln Abbey. region known as the Upland, with nine AFTERNOON: Next stop, Santa Claus! wineries spread across the region. Turtle Discover the magic of Christmas at the EVENING: Arrive in Corydon. Run is one of its most-visited. Here, the

34 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER SOUTHEASTTou INDIANAr Fall Mums, Farms & Markets Meet a friendly herd of alpaca, tour a garden center, visit an orchard and nd locally made specialty foods and fresh produce in the Fall.

“Fun Farm & Market Experiences!” - Clarksville Parks & Rec, Clarksville, IN

INDIANA CAVERNS proprietors serve up samples in their cozy AFTERNOON: The lunch stop today is tasting room. well above ground at the Overlook Res- taurant. This establishment is uniquely On to Jeffersonville and the Howard positioned on a bluff in Leavenworth with Steamboat Museum, site of what was a 20-mile panoramic view of the Ohio once the largest inland shipyard in River. Watch area wildlife and river traffic America. Among the artifacts on display while you dine. are items from the legendary Robert E. This afternoon your group heads Lee, the Natchez and the shaft of the home with fond memories of their I-69 – Delta Queen’s original paddlewheel. I-64 adventure. Before dinner, grab a quick snack at Schimpff’s Confectionery. Watch candy SCHIMPFF’S CONFECTIONERY being made on century-old equipment, and pick up take-home treats and see thousands of pieces of American candy memorabilia on display.

EVENING: Attend a Broadway musical and buffet dinner at the Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville. This theater has produced every one of the top 50 Broad- OHIO way musicals of all time. Indianapolis

INDIANA 1 Cincinnati DAY THREE MORNING: Start the day by visiting Indi- ana Caverns, where your group descends KENTUCKY over 100 feet into one of the world’s Louisville Lexington longest caves. The major portion of the underground tour is a pontoon cruise. South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 35 Indiana dinner theaters set the stage for a successful group tour

Any itinerary planner will tell you that treating your travelers to a restaurant-quality meal and professional entertainment in one place makes his or her job a breeze. No need to worry about pulling your group away from an early dinner, piling them onto the bus and rushing over to the theater before the curtain rises. Dinner theaters seem custom-made for group tour organizers. The emphasis at these happy venues is on lighthearted entertainment, with comedies, variety shows and time-tested Broadway musicals comprising most of the Aofferings. Holiday shows take over in November and December. Planners can expect middle-of-the-road theater fare—rarely any worries about material that’s too racy. The intimacy of a dinner theater also has group appeal. Instead of being lost in a sea of seats far from the stage, theater-goers easily connect with the

THEATERS performers as they belt out their tunes,

sometimes just feet away. Expect good sightlines and tiered seating. Ticket prices, moreover, are much lower than the big-time houses—and a fraction of Broadway shows in New York. For less than what you might pay for a show alone, you get both the show and a multi-course meal. Groups receive attractive discounts as well. Amish Acres Historic Farm & Heritage Resort in Nappanee, the best-

Indiana known tourist attraction in Northern Indiana Amish Country, is home to the 400-seat Round Barn Theatre. Housed in a 1911 round barn moved to the site, the resident repertory musical theater company has its own costume shop, scenic design shop and warehouse, and props department. It produces seven Dinner

36 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER ROUND BARN THEATRE Nappanee

2018 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 37 DERBY DINNER PLAYHOUSE BLUE GATE RESTAURANT Clarksville & THEATRE Shipshewana

shows during a nine-month season. In 2019 the theater presents the 33rd annual production of Plain and Fancy, the 1955 Broadway musical comedy about Amish life and love. Other shows include Anne of Green Gables, The Sunshine Boys geese. Craft demonstrations might include and Beauty and the Beast. Amish specialties like broom making and Before or after the performance, quilting or seasonal activities like cider or groups can feast on Amish favorites under sorghum molasses making. Buggy and the hand-hewn timbers of the adjacent wagon rides are available. Restaurant Barn, a cavernous space that Another theater/dining opportunity dates to 1876. The family-style Threshers in Amish Country awaits groups at Dinner features fried chicken, ham and Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre in roast beef, plus thick ham and bean soup, Shipshewana. In a rambling white hearth-baked bread with apple butter, farmhouse setting all under one roof, the mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, sage complex includes 1,200 seats in seven dressing, beef and noodles, and sweet dining rooms, a bakery and an upper-level and sour cabbage salad. Save room for theater that seats 320. shoofly, chocolate, pecan, peanut butter or Theatrical fare at the Blue Gate, coconut cream pie, to name just a few of with morning, afternoon and evening the possible choices on a given day. performances, ranges from plays and Amish Acres, created from an 80-acre musicals with Amish and Mennonite Old Order Amish farm, offers tours of the themes to concerts featuring country and 140-year-old house and other buildings. Christian gospel artists. Groups can expect Guests will see antique farm equipment, stick-to-your-ribs fare like slow-roasted an apple orchard, horses, chickens and beef and ham, fried chicken, turkey,

38 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER meatloaf, mashed potatoes and noodles always features the signature beef, plus with beef. Among the 20-some pie other meats, a selection of hot vegetables, varieties: German chocolate, sugar cream, fruit and salad bar, mouthwatering banana cream, butterscotch, lemon desserts, and unlimited coffee, tea or meringue, peanut butter and custard. lemonade. A full-service bar is available. Meals are family- or buffet-style. Views of the stage are excellent from all six Groups can spend hours exploring rows of tables. Shipshewana’s shop-lined streets, which The 2019 playbill has musicals like are alive with Amish buggies as well Grease, 42nd Street, Buddy: The Buddy as cars. The famous Shipshewana Flea Holly Story and Hairspray. Evening Market, the largest in the Midwest, is held performances typically take place every Tuesday and Wednesday from May Tuesday through Sunday, with matinees through October. Wednesday and Sunday. Beef & Boards Indianapolis group itineraries entertains about 155,000 folks annually. often include juicy slices of Broadway In Southern Indiana, Derby Dinner entertainment and hand-carved meat Playhouse in Clarksville has been the place at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. to go for Broadway musicals, lighthearted Established in 1973, the venue got its comedy and good food for the last 45 name from the beef served before the years. It accommodates about 500 guests performance, and “boards” refers to the in tables grouped around a central stage, stage of a theater. The dinner buffet welcoming 200,000 patrons a year.

2018 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 39 Derby Dinner has produced every the songs of Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, the in one of the center’s dining rooms before single one of the top 50 Broadway Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and others. the 2 p.m. show. Or groups can enjoy musicals of all time, including Oklahoma!, Producing the shows is Rhett Thomas’ the Sunday Champagne Brunch prior to The Sound of Music and Annie. There are Silver Night Entertainment. Rhett and his showtime. The Thursday dinner option, eight mainstage shows running Tuesday brother Ross have performed in their own held before the 7:30 p.m. performance, is through Sunday year-round. Top picks shows and with the Osmond Brothers in more of an event and includes activities in 2019 include Newsies, the dance-filled Branson. Groups can combine the show themed around the show. musical adapted from the Disney film with a buffet dinner. Smart tour planners find that based on the true story about New York In Northwest Indiana, within easy scheduling an evening or afternoon City newsboys striking against unfair reach of Chicago and suburbs, is a of food and fun is a no-brainer. In fact, working conditions. Elf The Musical gem called Theatre at the Center. The a dinner theater visit could be your arrives in time for the Christmas season. non-profit resident theater is located itinerary’s star attraction. The Footnotes, the theater’s own vocal in Munster at the Center for the Visual ensemble, entertains just prior to the and Performing Arts, which is sustained

THEATRE AT THE CENTER Munster stage production. The buffet offers carved by grants (including the Indiana Arts pork or turkey, fried fish, fried chicken, a Commission), individual donations and RESOURCES variety of vegetables, hot rolls, a salad bar support from the Community Foundation and desserts. Coffee and tea are included, of Northwest Indiana. ABBEYDELL HALL AT THE LEGEND OF FRENCH LICK and there’s a full bar. Theatre at the Center presents 812-936-5300, LegendOfFrenchLick.com If your groups love the entertain- evening and matinee performances of five BEEF & BOARDS DINNER THEATRE ment scene in Branson, Missouri, they mainstage productions a year. Offerings 800-743-0503, BeefandBoards.com will love the wholesome variety shows at in 2019 are Million Dollar Quartet, Dames BLUE GATE RESTAURANT AND THEATRE Abbeydell Hall, located at the Legend of at Sea, Over the Tavern, The Pajama Game 888-447-4725, Riegsecker.com French Lick, a 20-acre estate one mile east and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. In this DERBY DINNER PLAYHOUSE of the twin towns of French Lick and West intimate theater seating 410, no one in 812-288-8281, DerbyDinner.com Baden Springs. The property is the former your group will sit more than seven rows home of Larry Bird, a basketball legend from the stage. THE ROUND BARN THEATRE AT AMISH ACRES 800-800-4942, AmishAcres.com who grew up in French Lick. Lunch-and-show packages Typical of fare at Abbeydell was the are available for groups booking a THEATRE AT THE CENTER recent Twist the Night Away, a look back at Wednesday or Thursday matinee; a set 219-836-3258, TheatreAtTheCenter.com the music of the 1950s and ’60s, featuring menu with choice of two entrees is served

40 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PLAZA

PARKE COUNTY COVERED BRIDGES HE “COVERED BRIDGE Capital of the World,” Parke County is home T to 31 preserved rustic bridges that dot the countryside. Located in BRIDGETON BRIDGE western Indiana, 55 miles west The Black Trail of Indianapolis, the county offers five color-coded touring loops that range from differences in paved walkway along Big and seeing a Native American 24 to 33 miles. The foundations, Raccoon Creek. The gristmill ghost, so come prepared with bridges along roofing and still operates and offers freshly a hearty constitution if your these routes will paint at made flour and cornmeal for group visits at night. Narrows explain the story different sale. Covered Bridge in Turkey of Parke County, UNIQUELY sites. Each Continue clockwise to the Run State Park is one of the an area originally route Red Trail, which passes through most-photographed bridges occupied by the Indiana features four the Roseville Covered in the state with a compelling Miami Nation to six covered Bridge. Constructed by the backdrop of sugar maple trees before European bridges, some Van Fossen brothers, whose and river rocks. settlers moved into dating back to work is associated with at Every October, thousands the county in the 1800s. 1856, and all hub-and- least four more bridges in the of visitors converge upon Parke The many fertile creeks that spoke through the county seat county, the structure is notable County to experience the flow across the landscape of Rockville, so multiple-day for its concrete abutments Covered Bridge Festival, the led to flourishing trade and touring is convenient. and cut sandstone base that state’s largest festival and one the need to pass over them, The Black Trail, which has helped preserve it since of the Midwest’s top autumn resulting in the exemplary passes through the county’s 1910. Meanwhile, the West events. The annual celebration bridges that stand today. southeast corner, features one Union Covered Bridge on is centered on the Rockville A tour guide can explain of the most-photographed the Yellow Route was used for Courthouse Square, which that 19th century covered structures in the area: stagecoach traffic to Lafayette turns into a marketplace of bridges were wooden due the Bridgeton Bridge. A and was part of the longer arts, crafts and food vendors. to the abundance of virgin reproduction after the original “Indiana State Highway,” Throughout the festival, timber in the area. Most of the was destroyed in a fire, this which was established by nearby towns like Bridgeton, bridges in Parke County are bridge is an excellent example the state in 1827 and was to Mansfield and Montezuma made of yellow poplar or white of the Burr Arch design, which extend from Richmond to beckon travelers with vendors, pine, whose hardy qualities combines a wooden arch and Terre Haute. Fans of haunted community-wide yard sales have assisted in the bridges’ multiple trusses. Constructed history should stop by the Sim and history tours. preservation. Historians can alongside a still-operating Smith Covered Bridge on For more information, also explain the advancement mill, the bridge is great for the Brown Route. Locals have visit CoveredBridges.com in bridge-building throughout group photographs and reported hearing the noise of the decades by showing is accompanied by a short a phantom horse and buggy NORTH AND WEST INDIANA ITINERARY 1-80/94 to I-65, North and West Indiana Really Come Alive

INDIANAPOLIS

NORTHERN FAIR OAKS FARMS REGION

the morning at Amish Acres Historic shopping. In season, catch a game at WESTERN REGION Farm and Heritage Resort, which offers the South Bend Cubs stadium, located craft demonstrations, extensive shop- right downtown with a hint of Chicago’s ping, wagon rides, and a music theater. Wrigley Field, or visit the new Four Later this morning, travel the scenic Winds Casino South Bend. Alternatively, backroads of Amish Country, passing catch a Broadway-caliber performance at horse-drawn buggies, tidy farmhouses the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts DAY ONE and whitewashed barns on the way in Warsaw. This 800-seat theater amazes MORNING: Start the day at the Ship- to Elkhart where a tour awaits of the visitors with musicals and concerts at shewana Flea Market. With over 1,000 impressive Recreational Vehicle Mo- appealing group rates vendors, it’s the largest outdoor market torhome Hall of Fame. The expansive in the Midwest. Visit the nearby Menno- facility features a walking tour of the Hof Amish-Mennonite Information DAY THREE history of recreational vehicles as well as MORNING: Before departing the area, Center and learn about the history vintage models. visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on behind the Amish faith and settlements. the University of Notre Dame campus. AFTERNOON: After lunch in Elkhart, AFTERNOON: Enjoy lunch and a travel to South Bend’s Studebaker matinee show at the Das Dutchman Es- National Museum. The museum is senhaus. This complex features scrump- dedicated to preserving the legend of tious family-style dining and original this iconic 20th century automobile, musicals and plays, created by its very which was both headquartered and own production company. manufactured in South Bend. The museum displays the first and last cars the EVENING: Travel south to Amish Acres, Studebaker corporation ever made and where accommodations and a thresh- boasts the largest presidential carriage ers-style dinner await. collection in the world.

DAY TWO EVENING: Explore downtown South AMISH ACRES MORNING: After a hearty breakfast, start Bend, a vibrant place for dining and

42 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER SWEETWATER

Built in the late 1800s, the church features Crop adventure or pick apples from the one of the largest collections of 19th cen- 6,000-tree orchard (seasonal). tury French stained glass in the world. EVENING: Arrive in the Lafayette area. AFTERNOON: Traveling west on I-80/94, Enjoy food and spirts at O’Bryan’s Nine make a stop for the men at one of two Irish Brothers, which serves premium Irish iconic outdoor retailers, Bass Pro Shops or food and spirits with Irish favorites such Cabela. as Guinness stew, shepherd’s pie and fish & chips. Live entertainment is featured on EVENING: After checking into your Ham- most weekend nights. mond-area hotel, enjoy a Broadway-style performance at the Theatre at the Center. DAY FIVE This is a Northwest Indiana institution with MORNING: Visit Wolf Park, an educational five mainstage productions each year in a facility dedicated to improving public theatre-in-the-round setting. understanding of wolves. Tour members have the opportunity to see wolves, foxes, DAY FOUR coyotes and bison as well as hear a lecture MORNING: Visit the Shrine of Christ’s Pas- on the animals. Then stop by Tippecanoe sion, an outdoor spiritual journey through Battlefield & Museum and learn about the the Stations of the Cross, plus experience famous 1811 battle between William Henry the 10 Commandments in one of the most Harrison’s U.S. forces and Chief Tecumseh’s realistic depictions of Mount Sinai in the Native American confederation. world. AFTERNOON: After lunch, take some AFTERNOON: Turning south onto I-65, Hoosier goodies home with you from the stop for lunch at the Farmhouse Restaurant Inspired Fire Glass Studio and Gallery in at Fair Oaks Farms and an afternoon tour Lafayette. One-of-a kind Friendship Balls of their facilities. Take in the Dairy, Pig or are created by area artists.

2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 43

Indiana’s44 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER CASINOS Hit the JACKPOT Groups are flocking to Indiana’s casino resorts for their group-friendly rates, thrilling action and gourmet dining

Often offering attractive rates and a multitude of dining, golfing and entertainment options, casinos make an excellent addition to a tour itinerary. With themes that range from Victorian to contemporary, Indiana’s gaming destinations offer high-stakes action and spacious accommodations to satisfy groups on any budget. Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, located in the city of Anderson and less than one hour from Indianapolis, is one of the Midwest’s premier harness racing facilities, providing hours of thrills both on the Oracetrack and casino floor. Host of the annual $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes and ranked Standardbreds from across the continent, the complex includes a 7/8- mile oval track, stables for groups to visit and stadium seating with excellent views of the action. The accompanying Trackside complex features betting windows, luxury suites and prime views from the Pegasus Lounge. Dining options include the Prime Harvest Buffet, Caballo Loco Grill & Cantina and Dan Patch Brewhouse, which serves some of Indiana’s best craft beers. After the races, head down the escalators for an evening of action on the easy-to-navigate casino floor. Awaiting guests are 2,000 slot machines and e-table games such as baccarat, craps and roulette plus video poker stations. Group members seeking a craft cocktail BLUE CHIP CASINO, HOTEL & SPA can try the creative creations at the SIEBERLING MANSION Michigan City Kokomo Double R Bar. Harrah’s Hoosier Park is accommodating to large groups and can

Indiana’s CASINOS Hit the JACKPOT 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER 45 offer dining packages, visits to the Winners Thirty minutes from downtown Spa in Michigan City. The elegant casino Circle and complimentary 24-hour shuttle Chicago and offering stunning views of floor includes 42 table games such as mini service to nearby Noblesville and Anderson the Lake Michigan shoreline, Horseshoe baccarat and Caribbean stud, while eight hotels. Hammond is the gaming hub of live poker tables offer some of the hottest Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Northwest Indiana. The complex notably action in Indiana. Group members seeking a 233,000-square-foot complex outside houses the largest poker room in the rejuvenation will find their inner zen at Spa of Shelbyville, features a Las Vegas-style Midwest (featuring 34 all-limit tables) Blu, a 10,000-square-foot spa, salon and casino floor that boasts 2,200 high-paying and Benny’s Back Room, which hosts fitness center. The complex includes steam slots and table games. Group members weekly games. Horseshoe’s other gaming rooms, whirlpools and manicure services can enjoy the largest poker room in the highlight is the gorgeous Le Chang Asian that are available at a group rate. Groups Indianapolis area and electronic roulette, Room, which evokes the glamorous will also appreciate Blue Chip’s variety of which uses realistic drag-the-chip casinos of China with dark wood and dining options, such as the exquisite cuts capabilities and player-friendly onscreen etched glasswork. Featuring games such at William B’s Steakhouse, hearty pub food help. Surrounding the casino floor is as Pai Gow Tiles and Mini Baccarat Dragon at The Game and indulgent deserts at It’s a variety of tempting dining options, Bonus, the room also offers authentic Vegas Baby! including Center Cut (which showcases Chinese cuisine at the Foo Noodle Bar. The Four Winds Casino in nearby South farm-fresh beef and an extensive wine list), Winner’s Circle Brewpub (where patrons can sample craft beer and enjoy simulcast racing) and the Grand Buffet (where guests can enjoy prime rib and fresh seafood). For nail-biting Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, head to the race course clubhouse to enjoy expansive stadium seating and a simulcast center to place bets of all sizes. Looking to package your group gaming experience with accommodations? Indiana Grand partners with local Indianapolis and Shelbyville hotels to provide an all-inclusive experience. Evoking 19th century spa retreats, French Lick Resort in West Baden has enough activities to fill an entire itinerary. Located in the towns of French Lick and West Baden, the campus includes two AAA Four-Diamond historic hotels in the vessel’s two main public floors include Bend, newly opened in 2018 and designed Mediterranean Revival style, three golf over 1500 slot machines, 300 video poker as a grand lodge with tribal touches, courses, two spas and dining options that machines and two bars. Hungry group entices visitors with some of the state’s range from elegant steakhouses to casual members can dine at the Eatery, John largest jackpots. Over 1,600 games include delis. One of the resort’s centerpieces is Binion’s Steak and the Village Square Wheel of Fortune Big Money, Penn & French Lick Casino, a 24-hour gaming Buffet, which features Latin, Italian and Teller and a million-dollar jackpot with a complex that boasts 1,000 new and classic Asian stations at an all-inclusive price. Monopoly theme. Poker lovers can enjoy slots, progressive jackpots and video keno Other areas to explore include The Venue, the property’s 10 live tables and relax in of multiple denominations and themes. multipurpose performance and meeting the beautifully appointed Players Lounge, In addition, 37 live-dealer tables host space designed for group travelers, Sixth while a variety of penny slots will intrigue blackjack, craps and Ultimate Texas Hold Street Bar, which serves local craft beer and other group members. Famished after ‘Em, while groups can enjoy refreshments cocktails, and Push, a nightclub featuring a an evening on the floor? Copper Rock at the baseball-themed Casino Park Grill. 360 bar. Steakhouse serves gourmet dry-aged The resort is proud to welcome groups Rising above the Lake Michigan meats and succulent lobster, Kankakee and offers a variety of accommodation shoreline farther east is the striking Spa Grille specializes in wood-fired pizza and packages and meeting spaces to fit your Blu Tower, a 22-story hotel and crown White Birch Market brews aromatic coffee. needs. jewel of the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Four Winds is welcoming to motorcoach

46 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER groups and also runs scheduled bus runs denominations. Table games include Dining options include 19 Steak & Seafood to Elkhart, Mishawaka, South Bend, Fort traditional standbys such as roulette (where you can indulge in dry-aged beef Wayne and Goshen. and craps in addition to innovative new and a diverse raw bar), Stadium Sports Sporting a Victorian-inspired hotel additions such as Spanish 21 (a blackjack Bar & Grill (the ultimate sports bar with 30 and a riverboat complete with a pilot variation that discards some 10s from the high-definition TVs to follow every game) house and smokestacks, Hollywood deck) and Mississippi Stud Progressive and the expansive Buffet at Belterra. The Casino Lawrenceburg offers an exciting Poker. Delicious dining options include site also offers flexible menu and lodging gaming experience 30 minutes from River View Buffet, which serves carved packages for visiting groups, with meeting downtown Cincinnati. Hollywood’s meats and a salad station; Wellington’s, a rooms and professional planning services 136,000-square-foot, two-story layout can high-end steakhouse serving fresh seafood to ensure a thrilling Switzerland County getaway. A property that includes over 1,000 slots, 350 hotel rooms and five restaurants on the banks of the Ohio River, Tropicana Evansville is one of Indiana’s premier gaming destinations. Texas Hold ‘em, roulette and craps all offer high-energy action on a casino floor dripping with Las Vegas glamor. The elegance continues at the Piano Bar at Cavanaugh’s, an upscale nightclub with signature martinis and nightly live entertainment. More nightlife can be found at 421, a high-energy lounge with a dance floor. Dining options include the Cajun-themed Chef Subra’s Recipes and BELTERRA RESORT diverse selections at the Kitchen Buffet.

entertain nearly 9,000 guests with a variety and pork chops; and Queen City Market, RESOURCES of slots and table games such as blackjack, which caters to guests looking for a quick roulette and High Card Flush, while the bite before returning to the casino floor. BELTERRA CASINO RESORT 812-427-7777, BelterraCasino.com Hollywood Poker Room features 19 tables Also on property is the Links at Rising Star welcoming to newcomers and serious Casino, a Tim Liddy-designed gem and the BLUE CHIP CASINO HOTEL players alike. Group members can unlock only Scottish Links-style course in Southern 219-879-7711, BlueChipCasino.com their inner movie star at the complex’s five Indiana. The resort’s entertainment venues FOUR WINDS CASINO SOUTH BEND restaurants as they enjoy classic martinis at include the Windsor Lounge, which 866-494-6371, FourWindsCasino.com/SouthBend H-BAR, prime beef selections at Final Cut showcases national stand-up comics, and FRENCH LICK CASINO Steakhouse and gourmet coffee blends at the Grand Theatre, which hosts everything 812-936-9300 , FrenchLick.com/Gaming Hollywood & Grind. Cap off your evening from rock concerts to Broadway-quality at Boogie Nights, a ‘70s- and ‘80s-themed musicals. HOLLYWOOD CASINO LAWRENCEBURG 888-274-6797, HollywoodIndiana.com dance club, and be sure to take advantage Minutes from the Indiana Wine Trail, of Hollywood’s free shuttle service to local Belterra Casino is one of the largest casino HARRAH’S HOOSIER PARK RACING & CASINO hotels. If your party wishes to stay on- resorts in the state. Over 38,000 square feet 765-642-7223, HoosierPark.com site, Hollywood’s dedicated group sales of gaming spaces is complemented by a HORSESHOE HAMMOND department that can package the casino’s full-service spa, conference space and a 219-473-7000, Caesars.com/Horseshoe-Hammond numerous lodging, dining and gaming Tom Fazio-designed golf course. Floating INDIANA GRAND RACING & CASINO options. alongside the Ohio River, the Miss Belterra 877-386-4463, IndianaGrand.com Farther downstream on the Ohio riverboat casino offers two levels of high- River are the quaint town of Rising Sun stakes table games such as craps and RISING STAR CASINO RESORT and Rising Star Casino, a Full House blackjack and slot areas on the entrance 812-438-1234, RisingStarCasino.com Resorts property that boasts nearly level, while the non-smoking Live Poker TROPICANA EVANSVILLE RESORT 1,000 of the newest vivid video slots rooms features Texas Hold ‘Em and live 812-433-4000, TropEvansville.com that range from one-cent to one-dollar tournaments for your group’s enjoyment.

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Thank you to our Advertising Partners

Amish Acres, Nappanee 43 Amish Country of Northern Indiana 51 Anderson/Madison County Visitors Bureau 5 Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis 39 Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau 29, 31, 33, 35 Gaither Family Resources, Alexandria 5 Go SoIN Tourism 49 Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau 27 Harrison County/Historic Corydon CVB 2 Indiana State Parks and Inns 43 Indianapolis Zoo 23 Kosciusko County CVB 12 Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB 3 The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, St. John 25 South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority 15 Vincennes/ Knox County CVB 21 Visit Bloomington 27 Visit Fort Wayne 20 Visit French Lick West Baden 52 Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette 47 Visit Madison 49 Visit South Bend Mishawaka 13 Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts 38

Indiana 2019 Group Tour Planner Editorial & Advertising Office Published in Partnership with Premier Travel Media The Indiana Office of Tourism Development 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 One North Capitol, Suite 600 Willowbrook, IL 60527 Indianapolis, IN 46204 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 P 317.234.8860 [email protected] [email protected]

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk [email protected] The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but Managing Editor – Randy Mink the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts. [email protected] Indiana Group Tour Planner is published by Premier Associate Editor – Miles Dobis Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, [email protected] IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank Editorial Coordinator – Danielle Golab travel clubs and other travel organizations. [email protected] Send Address Change to: Director, Design & Production – Premier Travel Media Martha Gazella-Taylor 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 Vice President – Theresa O’Rourke A publication [email protected]

50 2019 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER